Annie Gabaldon Portraits

Rico has also been taking photos at his day job for their company's newsletter, Click. For their next issue, they needed portraits of Annie Gabaldon, a project manager, as their featured employee. We know Annie and her family outside of work and they couldn't have picked a better person with a big heart and big personality to boot.

Lately, she and her family have played significant roles in our lives here in Canada. When we moved into our current home a year and a half ago, they were so kind as to welcome us with wonderful homemade lunch which we all shared in our dining room. When we shoot weddings, her cousin-in-law would look after our little one, Mikka. And after finally admitting that all we had for dinner was a box of Timbits and Iced Cappuccino after an exhausting e-shoot, they fed us homemade dinner in their own home. Visits with them have always been fun where everybody has a keen sense of humor and Annie, well, she's got an infectious laughter that just keeps on going and going.

But there's another side to Annie that we were not aware of prior to the portrait session. She tutors kids with dyslexia to improve on their reading skills. Here are some of the photos we took while she talked about the special teaching technique to help these kids to be successful in school.

Playing with teaching aids to form their company's initials.
Showing us how she uses a toy worm to visually explain long vowels vs. short vowels.
I love how this picture just shows her fun side as we know it.
Here's another photo of Annie and her youngest daughter, Jacquie, who just woke up from her afternoon nap. We took this after the above portrait session.

Before we left, we got to talking about how our business is doing. With her sister and her family as well as her mom and dad being in town, they immediately decided to ask us to take family portraits which of course we were more than happy to do. We'll have a separate blog entry on the actual photoshoot of the family portraits. Watch out for that!

Rick + Sarah Wedding by Ritrato

We really had a blast shooting Rick and Sarah's wedding with our good friend, Ritchie. It was not just business as usual, rather, it was a learning experience for both Pelaez Photography and Ritrato Photography. Ritrato Photography is Ritchie Jo Espenilla and another very good friend, Pam Belangdal, who have just taken the plunge into the wedding photography business. They're based in Salt Lake City, Utah and are both very talented in their own right. Anyone out there looking for a photographer in Utah, please check these guys out!

Thanks for these, Ritchie! We're sure Rick and Sarah will be delighted with the photos you took! Please come back anytime and we hope to shoot with you in Utah sometime soon!

As promised, here's a peek at his blog entry on Ritrato's blog with photos he took at Rick and Sarah's wedding. You can read the rest of his blog entry HERE.

Rick + Sarah Wedding

Aboard the MV Magic Charm
Cruise up Indian Arm
July 21, 2007

When Sarah phoned us on the eve of her wedding, all she could say was "everything's set except for the weather". The forecast for the following day was 90% rain. On the morning of the 21st, Room 2402 at the Century Plaza Hotel and Spa was buzzing with activity as the bride, with the help of her party prepared for the long anticipated event. At noon, the groom and his men involved in excited chatter and playful banter while the rest of the guests came on board the MV Magic Charm. By 12:45pm, Sarah traced steps toward a beaming and tearful Rick while dark clouds hung low in the background. At half past 1pm, everyone was raising their glass to the new Mr. and Mrs. Kertcher. And thus started the 4-hour cruise from Coal Harbour up to Indian Arm which included little treats like a stop at Silver Falls and a view of the Whaley's house where Sarah grew up. Oh, and yes, it did rain. In fact, there were times when it poured but nothing could dampen the spirits of our wonderful couple and everybody who witnessed and celebrated their love.

We loved the artistic detailing that was consistent from Rick and Sarah's invitation to their guestbook, thanks to graphic designer-cum-bridesmaid Leah Vanderhorst.
Sarah couldn't wait to open Rick's gift.
Is it really raining?
Three generations of beautiful women
Keeping a picture of grandfather close to her heart
Don't peek! Keeping raindrops and curious stares from the bride...
The look of love...
The radiant bride
Looks like Rick and Sarah have figured out the right blend that led them to a journey of forever. They hope that everybody will drink from the same cup...
When it rains, we get creative. Even the short flight of stairs on the boat is selected as a prime spot for a photo op.
Rick had prepared an 8-pages long speech to toast the bride but it was anything but boring. The guests were rolling in laughter and the bride in stitches when at one point, the groom declared, "It's MY day, too!"
Ahhh... a different view of the couple's first dance
After the cruise, the couple, their family and friends continued partying on the rooftop patio of Ceilis Irish Pub and Restaurant at Granville and Smithe. The place has set us up for a stylish, fashion-inspired couple portrait session. Here are some of our favorites.

With our friend Ritchie Jo shooting with us, we hope we didn't miss a beat. Stay tuned for more photos on this great event on Ritrato's blog.

Rick and Sarah, the rain on your wedding day was no match to the outpouring of love and support from your friends and family. No doubt you'll "cruise" through life together, in love.

Three to tango!

Rico and I try our best to cover every angle and every point of view possible whenever we shoot weddings. There were situations when we wish we had another photographer with us to capture every second from one, two, three possible points of view. It would've also given us license to be much more creative knowing that we had got more than two pairs of eyes documenting the event.

Late night Friday, our good friend Ritchie Jo (yes, that's him on the right - photo courtesy of Ritrato Photography), will be flying in from Salt Lake City for some R&R here in Vancouver. Early Saturday, however, we'll be cracking the whip to put this bad boy to work instead. We'll be covering Sarah and Rick's wedding in Vancouver so it's going to be another long day for us. Having Ritchie there won't make the job easier for us, it just means that we'll be delivering more quality shots for Sarah and Rick to remember the day by. Watch our blog for that! For sure, we'll be showcasing some of our fave shots of the day as well as feature a link to Ritrato's blog for Ritchie's exposures.

-gracci

Dan + Janine Wedding

Calvary Baptist Church
Vancouver Rowing Club
July 7, 2007

Dan and Janine is the poster couple for the phrase "young and in love" and this translates so well on camera. Two weeks after our great e-shoot, we were expecting shots that would be as good, if not better. From the anticipation of the event, to the glow of having been newly married to the joy of celebration, it was easy to capture the beauty, the love, the tears and the laughter throughout the day.

Gotta have shots of the details like the shoes
What is wrong with this picture? Yep, that's the bride doing the maid of honor's pedi! You have to ask Brinn how she thought Janine did on the job.
Our beautiful, blushing bride. Gorgeous makeup by Ai Nagasawa.
Trying our best to get portraits with the handsome ringbearer.
Just before going in through the back of the church!
Dan, happy to say his vows...
The lovely flowergirl against the colorful bridesmaids dresses and bouquets.
I couldn't believe the striking resemblance between Janine and the shot of Audrey Hepburn from Roman Holiday on the bag of a guest!
Time for portraits
Gotta have some fun with the bridal party
Offsite portraits at Stanley Park
We thought we'd use the wind in the shot rather than fight it. What do you know, it turned out really well!
Last shot before their first time alone for the day aboard the horse drawn carriage at Stanley Park. This is Rico's shot with a little panning.
Yummy cake by Luscious Creations
Brinn couldn't hold back the tears during the toast.
One of our favorite things to shoot in weddings- the first dance.
Our ringbearer couldn't contain himself on the dancefloor.
Last portraits of the night

Dan and Janine, with God already at the center of your marriage, we're sure your love will endure, lucky triple 7 or not. Hope you have fun in Mexico!

e-shoot: Ernesto + Rosalie

Ernesto and Rosalie is not your typical bride and groom-to-be. Rosalie, busy with work, is not at all stressed by the upcoming wedding and Ernesto, who is finishing school to later teach highschool, is the one taking care of every minute detail. So far, we haven't seen traces of a groomzilla and we're crossing our fingers! Haha!

With their busy work, school and wedding planning schedules, we did find a fine afternoon to spend time downtown to take fun shots that showcase their love.Container vans and dumpsters won't stop us... Love the texture of these floor boards.
We thought we'd let the sun highlight our couple. And of course, what is downtown Vancouver without the water?
Then we thought we'd add some pop to our background. We were getting in the moment shooting this when a police car pulled up in front of us. The cops were definitely looking at us through their windshield I swear they were going to book us for indecent exposures.Turns out they were more interested in a dark sidestreet to our left. We didn't even bother finding out what's in there, we thought we'd just get out of the way. We were ready to wrap up the day anyway so we stuck to safe shots from that time on...
We had fun shooting, you guys! Maybe next time, we'll be able to take you up on your offer to join you for lunch or dinner! Anyway, we hope the planning goes smoothly between now and the big day. Can't wait to be a part of it.

Through Their Eyes Africa

Hello everyone! We just wanted to share the news about the 24-hour blogathon to support a wonderful project that will show you life in Africa through the eyes of young adults there. Through your help, world renown wedding photographers will mentor young adults in Africa to learn how to use a camera and capture life as they know it. You can learn more about the mentoring project from the official website of Through Their Eyes Africa.

The blogathon is ongoing now at http://www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com/

Please support this project to make it happen.

Kwong + Tracy Wedding

Oakridge United Church
Fortune House Seafood Restaurant
July 1, 2007

Tracy had a long day ahead of her when she woke up at four in the morning of July 1, 2007. The schedule for the day was jampacked with activities characteristic of a Chinese wedding. Amidst all the ruckus going on at the front door where the groom and his men tried to make their way through the tightly guarded door of the Lu residence, we managed to take some portrait shots of the lovely bride.
A tender moment between the bride and her sister.
The different dresses to be used throughout the day:The beautiful bouquet especially made by Tracy's relatives:

The rings and the wedding favors:

What would a Chinese wedding be without the tea ceremony?
Tracy's mom was wrapped up with emotion when Tracy and Kwong handed their gifts to her and Tracy's dad.
Cute ringbearer Shots taken at the church

He takes his job seriously...

We then headed to Queen E for some portrait shots
With a sumptuous 12-course meal at the reception, everybody enjoyed clinking their chopsticks and celebrating the start of a new life with our beautiful couple.

Looks like Ken couldn't wait...
How well do these two know each other? They let their senses guide them...

The room got really loud with good cheers when the couple and their families hopped from table to table to toast with their guests in celebration of their love.

The first dance.

Kwong and Tracy, although we were not able to participate at the table-to-table toast, inside we are saluting you - here's to a great journey together!